PRACTICAL
round the fittings: the radio grounding paint, propeller shaft and bow thruster tunnels. My tall husband rollers on the waterline: if it looks wobbly, it’s
his fault because he also applied the masking tape. somehow manages to follow us, beating We try to keep out of the sun, but it
down, so that the paint – even using thinners – becomes a black, acrid gunge. Any exposed skin becomes spattered with black pox. Even though
I’m wearing a headscarf, it finds its way into my hair. seem attracted to us, and there’s usually The moment we open a tin, passers-by
a good selection of folk who want to watch and chat. We try to work at weekends, when boatyard professionals are away, unable to watch our
amateurish efforts. Even so, this year the local paint manufacturer’s agent arrived to see how it was going. I almost offered him a roller.
have time to concentrate on those other tasks, such as replacing the anodes. Although we do this annually, Anthony is With the worst job out of the way, we
always outraged at the cost of these essential lumps of metal. This year, we had an extra job to do as our folding Maxprop propeller had developed a
wobble. Our boatbuilder friend Alister removed it and another friend, Paul, drove us to a courier. Even simple jobs without a car can be difficult; we’re lucky
to have such good friends. Fortunately for us, a British propeller specialist, Bob of Saturn Marine, now lives in nearby Picton. He was such a gent that after
overhauling the propeller he returned it personally and fitted it, in time for us to have it painted with Propspeed before relaunch. We’re reassured that it will be
good for years to come.Boatyard awardsLast time we were on the hard, in Opua,
Northland, NZ, we took the opportunity to have our chain and anchors re-galvanised. It worked out at 50 per cent of the cost of new chain, so it was
worth the frantic loading up of a hired truck and driving like dervishes to catch the once-a-month deadline. The threat of another month of high living in the
boatyard spurred us on our way, and we made it with only moments to spare. and chain were delivered back to us, A fortnight later, two sparkly anchors
looking almost too good to use. We spent a fun afternoon measuring it and marking it with coloured cable ties before hauling it back up into the chain locker.
Heaving the second anchor up into its locker, even with our Lofrans windlass, was exhausting. We treated ourselves to a budget meal at the yacht club
afterwards to celebrate a job well done.places, but once the workers have left they take on a different character. We sit Boatyards are inevitably dirty, noisy
relaxing, looking out at other liveaboards also enjoying their high life, sharing sundowners and admiring the views.During our travels, we’ve certainly
experienced a variety. For my vote, the prettiest boatyard would be Prickly Bay in Granada in the Caribbean. Surrounded by countryside, our young
daughters were able to play on the lovely beach while we slogged away. My award for ‘most famous’ would go to the Elephant Boatyard on the South Coast
of Britain, because it featured in the popular television soap opera Wayglamorous, and I quickly stopped. In spite of this, it wasn’t in the least Howards’
expecting actors to appear. However, there was a really good traditional pub within easy walking distance to help drown the day’s aches and pains.
boatyard would go to Auckland’s Gulf Harbour with its clean, painted concrete hardstand. Its large travel hoist saves In New Zealand, my vote for best
us the tedious task of removing our backstay and SSB aerial, as we are forced to with smaller hoists. The most cruiser-friendly boatyard would have to
be Norsands in Whangarei, which even advertises its beautiful garden – tended by Carol, a liveaboard – as a resource which grows herbs for cruising chefs.
My vote for the worst boatyard, which will be nameless, goes to the one which hauled out a huge, rusting steel barge next to our boat and blasted it, spraying
The result of using cheap antifouling, after just one year
ABOVEexamines the anode which is due to be replaced Anthony
BELOWin Whangarei grows herbs for cruising chefs Norsands
International cruisers living the high life at Norsands Boatyard, Whangarei, NZ